Stanford Cardinal

The Stanford Cardinal represent Stanford University, competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference from Stanford Stadium in the heart of Silicon Valley. The Cardinal embody the ideal of the scholar-athlete at the highest level, combining academic excellence with competitive football. Stanford has made the move from the Pac-12 to the ACC in 2024. The program has produced Heisman winners, Nobel laureates, and NFL stars. Cardinal fans bring an intellectual passion to gameday. Stanford's success under Jim Harbaugh and David Shaw proved that elite academics and football excellence can coexist. The Cardinal represent one of the world's premier universities in college football.

Stanford football began in 1891, and the program has won two national championships and produced legends including John Elway, Andrew Luck, and Christian McCaffrey. Jim Plunkett and Toby Gerhart won major awards. The rivalry with California—the Big Game—is one of the nation's oldest. Stanford's identity as a program that recruits nationally and maintains the highest academic standards has endured. The Cardinal's 'Nerd Nation' persona and success on the field have made Stanford a unique presence in college football. Stanford's move to the ACC marks a new chapter for a program with a distinctive identity.